Rowley: Govt to fight killing machine

Planning and Development Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday chastised those who practised stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS. He said they were “not much better than the misguided people who deliberately spread the disease.”  

Speaking to Newsday during a break at the Stakeholders’ Workshop for the feasibility study and financing proposal for HIV/AIDS sector in TT at Ambassador Hotel, Rowley said deliberately spreading the disease is a “criminal act.” Asked if a law to make this an offence is on the Government’s agenda he said: “Government will certainly have to look at that.” He referred further comment to Health Minister Colm Imbert. In his address to stakeholders, Rowley said Government recognised the burden — stigma and discrimination — faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. He said these provided fertile soil for the invisible and insidious spread of the epidemic and “worse than that,” robbed PLWHAs of the good chance they had of living a good life despite the disease.

Rowley underscored Gover-nment’s commitment to respond to the virus which he described as a “killing machine.” He said Government understood the threat posed to its plan for developed country status by 2020. Data has shown that young people are contracting the disease fastest, and this is “bad news” for Government’s vision. Rowley said several studies and data have indicated the epidemic is growing with potentially devastating effects on sustained economic growth and improved quality of life. He cited the 1988 study done by the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) which forecasts by the year 2005 there will be a 15.6 percent decline in investment, 5.3 reduction in labour supply, 25.3 percent increase in expenditure on HIV related illnesses and 4.2 percent drop in Gross Domestic Product. He said the study, and input from stakeholders and activists indicated an urgent need for a co-ordinated response that preserved volunteerism, diversity and multi-sectoral approach.

Rowley said clear strategic objectives, a more aggressive response and leadership from Government were also needed. Despite numerous well-intentioned attempts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS, Rowley said there has been a lack of co-ordination and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The result is duplication of efforts in some areas, gaps in response, lack of sustainability and failure to create a critical mass of societal involvement. Rowley said he is pleased the financing proposal prepared by the Instituto Superiore di Sanita in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Health Economics Unit included support for several areas including the Cyril Ross Nursery and special emphasis on Tobago. He said it is good the plan also speaks of strengthening voluntary counselling and testing and expansion of national treatment programmes. He hoped the project will give special focus to youths or there will be no 2020 for a number of them if the disease is not brought under control.

The Government of TT signed an agreement with the European Union last year in which $120 million will be made available for projects in tertiary level education and health. The health aspect identified the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to prevent HIV/AIDS involving a programme for Trinidad and another that is specific to Tobago. The final draft report and financing proposal prepared by the Instituto and UWI was presented to interest groups yesterday for their comment and feedback for a comprehensive strategy and programme to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS.